An unusually early-season severe weather outbreak (first of the season), consisting of 3 rounds of widespread, severe storms, affected south-central and southeast Wisconsin on March 30, 2005.  One brief tornado was documented, and there were numerous reports of large hail and damaging, straight-line, downburst, thunderstorm winds.  Most of the larger hailstones consisted of clumps of soft hail of various sizes.  The responsible surface low-pressure system developed in the Plains during the morning hours, and moved to northwest Wisconsin by the late evening hours.  Meanwhile, an associated surface warm front surged north into central Wisconsin during the morning hours, bringing unseasonably warm air into the area.  Maximum afternoon temperatures ranged from the upper 60s to mid 70s inland from Lake Michigan, with the highest reading of 77 in Janesville and 9NW Beloit.As instability increased during the morning, isolated thunderstorms developed across eastern part of the state of Iowa.  These storms grew more intense and moved into south-central and southwest Wisconsin.  The first round of severe thunderstorms occurred as an elongated supercell crossed the Illinois/Wisconsin border and into Lafayette and Iowa counties between 1130 and 1220CST.  This storm produced .75 to 1.50 inch diameter hail before moving into Dane county where it split into two supercells.  The northern most supercell briefly produced an F0 tornado just east of Waunakee.  Both of these storms continued through Columbia, Dodge, and Fond du Lac counties where they produced funnel clouds, wind gusts to 56 knots (65 mph), and .75 to 1.25 inch diameter hail.  As clouds began to decrease in the wake of these supercells, instability increased and scattered thunderstorms re-developed across south-central and southeast Wisconsin during the afternoon.  These storms quickly pulsed to severe limits, producing wind gusts generally between 52 and 60 knots (60 to 70 mph) and 3/4 to 1 inch diameter hail.  One thunderstorm's gust front produced a gustnado just northwest of St. Lawrence (Washington Co.) with estimated wind gusts to 65 knots (75 mph).The final round of severe thunderstorms (just ahead of a cold front) developed across northeast Illinois and pushed through southeast Wisconsin between 1700 and 1900CST.  These storms produced 3/4 to 1 inch diameter hail, and wind gusts to around 52 knots (60 mph) across portions of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha counties.  The damaging winds blew over a billboard in Kenosha county and parts of a roof and power lines were found on a roadway in Racine county.

Hail in WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 19:43:00 to 30-MAR-05 19:50:00 (CST)
Location: MUSKEGO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:59:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:59:00 (CST)
Location: RANDOLPH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Funnel Cloud in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:56:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:56:00 (CST)
Location: RANDOLPH
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:03:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:03:00 (CST)
Location: SUN PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 15:00:00 to 30-MAR-05 15:00:00 (CST)
Location: WINDSOR
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in COLUMBIA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 15:30:00 to 30-MAR-05 15:30:00 (CST)
Location: COLUMBUS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Funnel Cloud in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 15:24:00 to 30-MAR-05 15:24:00 (CST)
Location: BEAVER DAM
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 15:05:00 to 30-MAR-05 15:05:00 (CST)
Location: RANDOLPH
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Funnel Cloud in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:49:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:49:00 (CST)
Location: LOWELL
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:53:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:53:00 (CST)
Location: MT HOREB
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:16:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:16:00 (CST)
Location: SUN PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:05:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:08:00 (CST)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 52 MG
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:24:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:24:00 (CST)
Location: PORTAGE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:40:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:40:00 (CST)
Location: WATERLOO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:52:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:52:00 (CST)
Location: SUN PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:25:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:35:00 (CST)
Location: FT ATKINSON
Magnitude: 56 EG
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

A large tree was blown on to a home in Ft. Atkinson. On I-94 near Johnson Creek, a semi-tractor and road sign were blown over. Otherwise large trees through this area were blown over.

Funnel Cloud in WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:48:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:48:00 (CST)
Location: KEWASKUM
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 18:12:00 to 30-MAR-05 18:12:00 (CST)
Location: ALBANY
Magnitude: 56 EG
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Road signs and trees were damaged.

Hail in WALWORTH, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 19:20:00 to 30-MAR-05 19:20:00 (CST)
Location: EAST TROY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Thunderstorm Wind in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:22:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:22:00 (CST)
Location: EAST BRISTOL
Magnitude: 61 EG
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Two barns damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in RACINE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 19:45:00 to 30-MAR-05 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: UNION GROVE
Magnitude: 60 EG
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Portions of a roof were found on a road.  Powerlines down.

Thunderstorm Wind in KENOSHA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 18:15:00 to 30-MAR-05 18:15:00 (CST)
Location: KENOSHA
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 3K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Billboard and some large trees blown over.

Hail in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 19:45:00 to 30-MAR-05 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: WEST ALLIS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 20:03:00 to 30-MAR-05 20:03:00 (CST)
Location: WAUWATOSA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 20:00:00 to 30-MAR-05 20:00:00 (CST)
Location: (MKE)MITCHELL APT MI
Magnitude: 50 MG
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Located at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport.

Hail in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 19:56:00 to 30-MAR-05 19:56:00 (CST)
Location: MILWAUKEE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)

Located on the UW-Milwaukee campus.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 17:05:00 to 30-MAR-05 17:07:00 (CST)
Location: ST LAWRENCE
Magnitude: 70 EG
Property damage: 150K
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

A gustnado on the leading gust front of a line of severe thunderstorms damaged a shed, a garage, a roof, trees, and two road signs.  In addition, a barn imploded, and a storage shed was destroyed.  Gustnadoes, a shallow ground-based vortex, are classified as thunderstorm wind events.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:25:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:35:00 (CST)
Location: MONROE
Magnitude: 56 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Large trees and road signs were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 15:00:00 to 30-MAR-05 15:00:00 (CST)
Location: BRODHEAD
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Large trees and road signs were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 16:00:00 to 30-MAR-05 16:00:00 (CST)
Location: DAYTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: .5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Large trees and a road sign were damaged.

Hail in LAFAYETTE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 12:35:00 to 30-MAR-05 12:35:00 (CST)
Location: DARLINGTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in LAFAYETTE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 12:50:00 to 30-MAR-05 12:50:00 (CST)
Location: DARLINGTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Ground covered white.  Roads had to be plowed.

Hail in IOWA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 12:55:00 to 30-MAR-05 12:55:00 (CST)
Location: MINERAL PT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in IOWA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 13:15:00 to 30-MAR-05 13:18:00 (CST)
Location: RIDGEWAY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in IOWA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 13:00:00 to 30-MAR-05 13:18:00 (CST)
Location: WALDWICK
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in LAFAYETTE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 12:56:00 to 30-MAR-05 12:56:00 (CST)
Location: DARLINGTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 13:31:00 to 30-MAR-05 13:31:00 (CST)
Location: MAZOMANIE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 13:35:00 to 30-MAR-05 13:35:00 (CST)
Location: MIDDLETON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 13:55:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:00:00 (CST)
Location: WAUNAKEE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Ground covered white.

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:20:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:20:00 (CST)
Location: WAUNAKEE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:05:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:05:00 (CST)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:10:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:11:00 (CST)
Location: WAUNAKEE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A weak F0 tornado spun up east of Waunakee on a seed farm on the north side of State Highway 19.  It slightly damaged the corner overhang of a storage shed, blew a wagon and plastic crates into a field, and rotated a heavy forklift while the operator was sitting in it.  The winds were estimated at 56 to 61 knots (65 to 70 mph).

Funnel Cloud in COLUMBIA, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:41:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:41:00 (CST)
Location: DOYLESTOWN
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Funnel Cloud in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:20:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:20:00 (CST)
Location: DE FOREST
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 14:35:00 to 30-MAR-05 14:35:00 (CST)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 30-MAR-05 20:03:00 to 30-MAR-05 20:03:00 (CST)
Location: WAUWATOSA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER